Context :
On 31 December 2019, WHO was alerted to several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. One week later, on 7 January 2020, Chinese authorities confirmed that they had identified a novel (new) coronavirus as the cause of the pneumonia. The proposed interim name of the virus is 2019 nCoV.
Since the first cases were reported, WHO and its partners have been working with Chinese authorities and global experts to learn more about the virus, including how it is transmitted, the populations most at risk, the spectrum of clinical disease, and the most effective ways to detect, interrupt, and contain transmission.
On 30 January 2020, the Director-General of WHO declared the 2019 nCoV outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005), following advice from the Emergency Committee. On 4 February 2020,the Director-General of WHO briefed the Secretary-General of the United Nations and requested the activation of the United Nations crisis management policy to establish a Crisis Management Team (CMT) to coordinate the UN system-wide scale up to assist countries prepare for and respond to Covid‑19. On February 27th, WHO has increased the assessment of the risk of spread and risk of impact of COVID-19 to very high at the global level.
In February 2020, the Malian Ministry of Public Health developed an Action Plan on the prevention and control of the disease that focused towards four main areas: i) Prevention, ii) Communication, iii) Capacity building and iv) Prevention and case management. UNICEF is positioned on several activities across all the axes proposed included and not limited to awareness and communication activities, hygiene reinforcement in health facilities and communities, support to health care activities. Since then, the plan is being updated to properly address the evolving situation. By end December 2020, Mali has reported 7,090 cases of which 271 deaths (lethality of 3.82 per cent)
The Covid-19 outbreak is creating significant additional pressure on the already overburdened social service delivery systems, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of affected populations. In addition, Mali is facing an extremely fragile and complex humanitarian situation in the country, characterized by the presence of non-state armed groups with an extension of insecurity along the borders in the Liptako Gourma countries (Burkina Faso and Niger), recurrent inter-communal conflicts, increased crimes, the presence of improvised explosive devices, violence, particularly in the northern and central regions, attacks against national and international armed forces as well as against humanitarian organizations.
Mali is one of the countries to benefit to the COVAX initiative which aims to accelerate the development and manufacture of vaccines against Covid-19 and to ensure fair and equitable access to these vaccines worldwide. Under this initiative, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Affairs has setup a national coordination committee composed of four commissions (Coordination, Technical, Logistics, Communication) in which UNICEF works with WHO and other partners including NGOs.
UNCICEF has integrated Covid-19 prevention and response into its humanitarian response 2021 in the framework of the Action for Children (HAC).
Objective :
UNICEF’s response to the Covid-19 epidemic is multisectoral, aligned with the national Covid-19 response plan and in line with the HAC 2021-2022 as well as on procedures and guidelines issued by the organization. Overall, UNICEF’s humanitarian response focuses on building peaceful, inclusive and resilient communities and strengthening the linkages between humanitarian action and development and peace programming in line with the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCC).
Main responsibilities and Tasks :
Under the guidance of the Emergency Specialist and in close coordination with the Communication for Development (C4D), Programme sections, the Emergency Specialist (Covid-19 response) will :
Provide technical support, coordination and supervision :
- Provide technical guidance and support in the national Covid-19 response in the field as per agreed standards and benchmarks in line with UNICEF HAC ;
- Actively engage in the refining and strengthening of the country’s National Covid-19 Response Plan or strategy in line with the overall national Covid-19 Response plan and international standards and benchmarks ;
- Make viable recommendations and guide the development and implementation of operational strategies in line with the country’s National Covid-19 Response Plan and UNICEFs mandate ;
- Under the framework of National Covid-19 response coordination platform, in conjunction with other partners and, participate in the national and regional Covid-19 taskforces and working committees.
Strengthen partnerships :
- Contribute to UNICEF engagement in IASC activities including providing inputs and elaborating notes for the HCT, ICC and clusters meetings ;
- Prospect and engage in partnerships and alliances with key stakeholders (UN Agencies, NGOs, CSOs, donors…) useful to develop projects and initiatives that respond to the needs of populations and communities affected by Covid-19.
Build Capacity :
- Assists in developing and conducting emergency/Covid-19 training courses ;
- Participate in other emergency training workshops in the region and builds up the emergency preparedness and response capability of UNICEF staff as well as implementing partners ;
- Support the Zonal Offices in the development, implementation and monitoring of regional response plans against Covid-19.
Research, Monitor and Evaluate :
- Ensure targeted responses, real time monitoring and adequate and timely readjustments of nation-wide activities ;
- Contribute to the preparation of monitoring and evaluation reports in accordance with the established guidelines, methods and procedures ;
- Contribute to UNICEF’s engagement in cross-sectorial needs assessments, prioritization, analyses and evaluations of the emergency response.
Document experiences and lessons learned : Contribute to the documentation of UNICEF’s role in Covid-19 emergency response experience and good practices.
Qualifications and experience :
- An advanced university degree (Master level or higher) in one of the following fields: social sciences, public administration, international law, public health, nutrition, international relations, business administration or other related disciplines. Preferably an experience in managing health-related programmes in situations of emergency (Ebola, cholera, etc.) ;
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in programme / project development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and administration with UNICEF / UN or International development institutions. An experience at the international level is an added asset ;
- Proven experience in coordinating and/or facilitating preparedness and response in emergencies ;
- Knowledge of / experience in the social, political and economic environment of the West and Central Africa region will be an asse ;
- Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of the local language of the duty station is highly desirable.
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.